Meditations on SORROWFUL MYSTERIES of the Rosary

SORROWFUL MYSTERIES

The Agony in the Garden – conformity to God’s willJesus knows torture and death lie ahead and he prays that the cup will pass. He also prays God’s will be done. In his agony, he carries the weight of our sins so that we may be saved. I imagine the courage it took to give himself to God’s plan. We too suffer and while we may pray the suffering will end, we are given support from Our Lord to endure, as Jesus received strength from the angel in the garden. I pray for the courage to conform to God’s will especially when it may be difficult.

The Scourging at the Pillar – MortificationJesus is brutally tortured to near death. Scourging was more than mere beating; it involved using instruments to inflict the most pain and blood loss possible without actually killing. Jesus was beaten for our sins. His mother watched as her son’s blood spilled on the ground. I imagine the horror she felt watching her precious child be brutalized, and how hard it must have been to not run to his rescue. I pray for forgiveness for my sins, the sins that contributed to the torture of my Lord.

The Crowning with Thorns – Moral CourageJesus is stripped, reclothed with a scarlet robe and crowned with thorns. He is mocked and spit upon by the soldiers. The people demand his crucifixion. Despite his innocence, he does not defend himself. He is strong in the face of hatred. I imagine his sadness at the people’s ignorance, his sorrow at their contempt. I pray for courage to defend God’s truth and strength to withstand the criticism and hatred of others. 

The Carrying of the Cross – PatienceJesus’ humiliation continues as he carries the Cross he will be crucified on through the town and people continue to mock him. I imagine the pain of the heavy wood against his back, rubbing against the open wounds from the scourging, the hot sun on him, the thirst, and hunger. I imagine his grief at seeing Mary, knowing she is watching her son die. Jesus is patient in enduring this suffering for us. I pray for more forgiveness, knowing my sins add to the weight of that Cross. I pray for patience in my own times of difficulty.

The Crucifixion – Salvation
Jesus arrives and is nailed to the cross. As he hangs, slowly dying, he is comforted by the presence of Mary, her sister, John and Mary Magdalene. Mary is strong. She has watched him suffer and now die and she never leaves him. I imagine her heartache. In his words to Mary, “Woman, behold, your son” all of us are entrusted to her love. I pray in thanksgiving for Christ’s suffering and sacrifice so that I may be saved.

Meditations on JOYFUL MYSTERIES of the Rosary

JOYFUL MYSTERIES

The Annunciation – Fruit of Humility

Mary said yes. God was asking a great amount of her. She could face disapproval. Joseph could abandon her. She might not be believed. Mary risked a lot because she had faith in God’s goodness. I imagine her kneeling in wonderment at the angel Gabriel, his hands encompassing hers, his forehead pressed against hers as he tells her of God’s great plan. She whispers “yes” knowing that her life is forever changed and possibly going to be much harder. She allows God’s will to be done and with that fiat the salvation of the world is set in motion. I pray that I can put God’s will before my own.

The Visitation – Love of Neighbor
Newly pregnant, Mary walks several days to visit her cousin Elizabeth. She is greeted with great joy and exclaims her Magnificat. While knowing that all will call her blessed, she spends several months serving Elizabeth. I imagine her performing the tasks of life so that Elizabeth, in her third trimester when the physical burden of pregnancy is greatest, can rest. Despite her own possible exhaustion and morning sickness, she serves her cousin. I imagine them at the end of the day sitting together and sharing their feelings about these two miraculous babies. I pray that I can serve as Mary did.

The Nativity – Poverty of Spirit

Mary and Joseph are far from home and she is about to give birth. They find nowhere to stay. Rather than panicking, they rely on God who leads them to a safe, warm place for his son’s birth. I imagine their worry but also their sense of calm. They know God cares for them and he will not abandon them on this holy journey. As the angels announce Jesus’ birth and the shepherds come to pay him homage, Mary and Joseph are surrounded by God’s love. I pray for the grace to depend on God completely.

Presentation in the Temple – Obedience

Mary and Joseph obey the law and bring their newborn son to the temple and offer a sacrifice. There they meet Simeon who has waited many years to meet the Messiah. I imagine Simeon gazing at Jesus. The Christ for whom he has waited has arrived just as God promised. He raises his eyes to heaven in thanks. He also warns Mary that her own heart will be pierced. She continues to trust God, not knowing what lies ahead. I pray for trust in God’s plan and patience in waiting for it to unfold.

Finding Jesus in the Temple – Piety

After not knowing where he was for three days, Mary and Joseph find Jesus in the temple. I imagine the fear they felt when they realized Jesus was not with them as they returned from Jerusalem. I imagine how scared they felt as they looked for him and the increasing anxiety they experience as time passed. At last they find him in his father’s home. What relief and joy. We look for Jesus too and we can always find him in church. He is there waiting for us. I pray that I will not find reasons to avoid visiting Jesus regularly.

The sign Of The Cross

The sign of the cross 

is made by touching the hand sequentially to the forehead, lower chest or stomach, and both shoulders, accompanied by the Trinitarian formula: at the forehead In the name of the Father (or In nomine Patris in Latin); at the stomach or heart and of the Son (et Filii); across the shoulders and of The Holy spirit.

In the name of the Father

and of the Son

and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

In a way, when we combine this gesture with a vocal prayer, we make two prayers. So, let us recognize the power of what we do when we pray, “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” It affords us powerful protection against the demons and our own weak nature. As Hispanic Catholics say when they make the sign of the cross, “By the sign of the holy cross, from our enemies, deliver us, O Lord!”

3 Beautiful Prayers To Guardian Angels

"Angel of God" is a Roman Catholic traditional prayer for the intercession of the guardian angel, often taught to young children as the first prayer learned. It serves as a reminder of God's love, and by enjoining the guardian angel to support the child in a loving way, the prayer echoes God's abiding love.

Prayer to our Guardian Angel

Angel sent by God to guide me,
be my light and walk beside me;
be my guardian and protect me;
on the paths of life direct me.
Amen.

Angel of God

Angel of God, my guardian dear,
to whom God’s love commits me here,
ever this day (or night) be at my side,
to light, to guard, to rule and guide.
Amen.

Prayer to St. Michael

This prayer is commonly said after the Rosary.

Saint Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan and all evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen

Powerful Prayer by St Patrick To Protect Yourself Against Spells and Evil Spirits

Protect yourself with this powerful prayer against enemies of the physical and spiritual worlds

I rise on this day that dawns,
By a great force, by the invocation of the Trinity,
by faith in the Triad,
by the affirmation of the unity
of the Creator of Creation.

I rise on this day that dawns,
by the force of Christ’s birth in His baptism,
by the force of crucifixion and burial,
by the force of resurrection and ascension,
by the force of descent to the Last Judgment.

I rise on this day that dawns,
For the love of the strength of the Cherubim,
In obedience to the Angels,
the service of the Archangels,
For the hope of resurrection and reward,
From the prayers of the Patriarchs
By predictions of prophets, In
the preaching of the Apostles
By faith of the Confessors,
by the innocence of the holy virgins,
by the acts of the Blessed.

I rise on this day that dawns,
By the force of the sky:
Sunlight,
Moonlight,

Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning, Speed of
the wind,
Depth of the seas,
Firmness of the earth,
Rock solidity.

I rise on this day that dawns,
By the power of God to push me,
For the strength of God to support me,
For the wisdom of God to guide me,
For the look of God watching my way,
For the ear of God to hear me,
For word of God in me talking,
by the hand of God to save me,
the way of God before me,
for the shield of God to protect me,
for the host of God who saves me,
of the devil’s traps,
Das temptations of vice,
de all who wish me evil,
Far and near me,
Acting alone or in a group.

Today I call upon such forces to protect me against evil,
Against any cruel force that threatens my body and my soul,
Against the incantation of false prophets,
Against the black laws of paganism,
Against the false laws of heretics,
Against the art of idolatry,
Against spells of witches and magicians,
Against knowledge that corrupts body and soul.

Christ guard me today,
Against poison, against fire,
Against drowning, against injury,
That I may receive and enjoy the reward.
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ to lie down,
Christ when I sit,
Christ the get up,
Christ in hearts of all those who think of me,
Christ in the mouth of all who speak with me,
Christ in every eye that see me,
Christ in every ear that hear me.

I rise, on this day that dawn,
By a great force, by invocation of the Trinity,
by faith in the Triad,
by the affirmation of Unity,
by the Creator of Creation.